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Blood. Lust. Family - Chapter 1
Pairing: Sakumoto
Genre: Vampire AU, fantasy, drama, mpreg
Rating: NC-17
Warning: Contains violence, blood.
Summary: Fifteen years after Blood. Lust. - Sho and Jun are adjusting to life as a mated pair, Sho and Satoshi have an uneasy truce, Nino is still wearing neon joggers and Aiba has grown a little more used to being around vampires on a daily basis.
Notes: This is my first chaptered fic since I don’t even know when. I’ve been working on it for an embarrassingly long length of time and it still isn’t complete. I figured that the only way to make myself finish it is to start posting and catch myself up at the end.
“OW!” Sho pulled his hand back as a set of razor-sharp claws slashed deep gouges across his skin.
The mound of blankets in the middle of the bed shifted slightly as the pale hand that the claws were attached to once again disappeared under the covers.
Sighing deeply, Sho licked the scratches as he returned to the living room, wincing at the taste of his own blood, so bitter in comparison to Jun’s sweet flavour.
Aiba was in the middle of regaling Satoshi and Nino with some of the latest exploits of his five children, which apparently included multiple photographs and even a lumpy key ring in the shape of a dog, which had obviously been created by a set of small and not very skilled hands.
“What did you do to Jun?” Satoshi’s eyes flared at the scent of blood. “Why is he avoiding us?”
“You should be asking what he did to me,” Sho pouted, pointing to the already healing gouges in his skin. “To tell the truth, I have no idea what’s wrong with him. I can sense that he is troubled but he won’t talk to me either.”
Even though Sho had been Jun’s mate for fifteen years now, Satoshi still remained slightly wary of him; their relationship was cordial but certainly still not one of true friendship.
“Since you seem unable to, I’ll go and talk to him. If he is ill, we must send for a doctor,” Satoshi declared firmly.
“I’m not sure that you want to do that. He’s pretty angry,” Sho replied, rubbing his hand, which was now fully healed.
“I’ll come with you. From the looks of those gouges on Sho’s hand, Jun is in a very dangerous mood,” Nino said to Satoshi, desperate to escape from Aiba and his photographs.
“I don’t think that will be necessary,” Satoshi replied. “Jun’s my brother. There’s no way that he will attack me that way.”
****
“I'm sure it will stop bleeding in a second, Prince Satoshi,” Aiba said, pressing an ice pack to Satoshi’s nose. “I didn't know that you vampires were so delicate.”
Satoshi growled and his eyes glowed briefly, leading to Nino jumping in and taking Aiba’s place before Aiba dug himself in any deeper.
“Perhaps if I bring Prince Jun a cup of nice fresh blood he will feel better,” Aiba offered, seemingly oblivious to how much he’d offended the three vampires in the room.
“You do that Aiba-san; food is the answer to every problem,” Nino replied sarcastically, his eyes shimmering bright yellow from being in such close proximity to Satoshi’s blood.
Missing Nino’s sarcasm entirely, Aiba nodded and dropped by the kitchen before heading towards the bedroom, carrying a beaker of fresh synthetic blood for Jun.
Sho moved to stand next to Satoshi and Nino as Aiba knocked and entered the bedroom without waiting for Jun’s response. “Is he going to be okay? Jun is in a very strange mood tonight.”
“He’ll be fine,” Nino shrugged, happy to be released from the torture of admiring Aiba’s ever increasing brood of children. He had never been around babies before and planned to have it remain that way.
**
“Sir? I’ve brought you some refreshment,” Aiba said, drawing back the heavy silk-lined curtains to reveal a clear night sky and the bright lights of the city.
The angry hiss which issued from the mound of blankets in the centre of the bed indicated that Jun was not happy at the intrusion, but Aiba carried on regardless. He folded back the quilt to reveal a nest of dishevelled hair, atop a face which was pale, even for a vampire.
“Aiba-chan? Go away!” Jun attempted to pull the covers over his head, but Aiba snatched them away.
“I’m sorry to intrude Sir, but Prince Sho is worried about you.” Aiba rearranged the pillows, making it possible for Jun to sit up.
“I think I hurt him before, and Satoshi too,” Jun replied in a wobbly voice in complete contrast to his anger from a moment before. “I don’t know why I’ve felt so strange over the past few days.”
Aiba murmured soothingly, and handed Jun the beaker of blood, “You’ll feel better after you have something to eat. My Emi is not a morning person either and bringing her a snack in bed seems to help.”
Jun took the smallest of sips, grimacing at the taste of the freshly poured blood.
“I can cook you something, if you would prefer.” Aiba’s role had changed over the years from that of Sho’s secretary, to being an integral part of their household and he took his responsibilities very seriously.
“The very thought of food makes my stomach turn,” Jun muttered, closing his eyes in an attempt to quell his nausea.
“Dry toast is just the thing to settle your stomach. My Emi always needs toast first thing when she is expecting…”
Jun’s glare said it all and Aiba‘s eyes widened as he hastily added, “Not that I’m implying anything.”
“Thank you for the offer, but since that is an impossibility, I’d rather just go back to sleep,” Jun said, as he pulled the covers back over his head. “And please close the curtains on your way out; the lights are hurting my eyes.”
****
“Pet, this has to stop. I can feel that you are out of sorts, and it pains me.” Sho dug Jun out of his nest of blankets and ignored Jun’s hiss of warning as he pulled him into his arms. “Why wouldn’t you drink the blood that Aiba brought you?”
“It made me sick to my stomach,” Jun murmured, burying his nose in the crook of Sho’s neck and breathing in his bittersweet chocolate scent. Sho’s pulse thrummed against Jun’s lips as he pressed them against Sho’s warm skin, making Jun’s breathing quicken slightly as his own pulse beat in time with his mate’s.
Sho tilted his neck, allowing Jun better access, “Drink my love, you know you want to.”
“I shouldn’t. I took so much from you at our mating renewal last month…” Jun whispered his words against Sho’s neck, sending puffs of moist air against Sho’s tingling skin.
“I can feel your need Jun.” Sho tugged Jun around to face him. Looking deeply into Jun’s eyes, Sho commanded, “Drink.”
Tentatively at first, Jun made a small puncture with one of his fangs and lapped at the spot with quick darts of his tongue. The overwhelming taste and texture of Sho’s blood soon overcame his qualms and Jun drank down several gulps before Sho gently pulled on his hair to bring Jun back to his senses. Licking the last dribble of red from Sho’s neck, Jun licked and kissed the wound until the flow ceased and the skin began to knit back together.
Jun’s eyes were as dark and unfocused as Sho’s as their lips met and they were swept away by a wave of passion triggered by the act of feeding. Hands roamed over long limbs, tracing muscles underneath untucked clothing, teeth nipping at skin as they crushed their mouths together, uncaring that the others were just outside the room. Eyes ablaze, Sho hastily removed their clothing and pushed Jun backwards down onto the mattress.
Jun responded by thrusting his hips needily against Sho’s crotch, growling in the back of his throat as Sho licked a wet stripe along Jun’s exposed skin and nipped at the underside of Jun’s jaw. Jun tasted even sweeter than usual and Sho grunted with pleasure as he sucked on the tiny mole on the side of Jun’s neck.
Sho parted Jun’s legs slightly and slid two fingers into his mate enjoying the tight clench of hot flesh around his fingers. Claws pricked at the back of Sho’s neck as Jun clung tightly to him in response to the welcome intrusion, and soon Jun was spreading his legs as wide as possible and whining needily as he writhed on the bed. “Bite me. Take me. Fuck me.”
A low pitched wail from Jun filled the room as Sho thrust himself smoothly into him in one controlled movement. After a small pause to allow Jun to relax himself around Sho’s size, Sho withdrew before thrusting forward slowly and with great force. The bed rocked in time with the ever quickening movements of Sho’s hips as he hovered over Jun’s prone form, gazing into the fiery purple depths of Jun’s eyes.
Mewls of excitement were forced from Jun as Sho gripped Jun’s shoulders and rocked back onto his knees, pulling Jun into an upright position, still impaled on him. Holding Jun’s hips tight enough for his claws to puncture the taut skin, Sho assisted Jun to ride him, drawing him up to the tip of his cock before dragging him sharply back down, until neither of them could catch their breath.
Sweat dripped down overheated skin as they moved together in a frenzied coupling, claws making shallow scratches and fangs bared as they nipped at each other’s necks and shoulders. Jun cried out loudly, clawing at Sho’s back, trembling as lust set his veins on fire. Gripping Jun to his chest, Sho lowered him back to the mattress, never stopping the relentless movements of his hips. Rutting hard against him as Jun wrapped his legs tightly around Sho’s waist, Sho pinned Jun’s hands down and kissed him, mingling the blood on their lips as their tongues danced together.
“Come,” Sho commanded, plunging in to the hilt and releasing deep within Jun, who was shaking with pent up emotion.
Unable to resist Sho’s demand, Jun screamed, body arching as he came, eyes squeezing tightly shut, before he collapsed back down onto the stained sheets, with a sated smile gracing his face.
It took a while for their breathing to steady, as Sho carefully withdrew, proud of the trickle of semen which flowed down to make Jun’s thighs sticky. Jun practically purred as Sho kissed all of the bloody marks and welts on Jun’s body, healing them with his touch. Jun smiled contentedly as Sho gently sponged him clean and tucked him under the clean edge of the sheets, pulling the blankets up under Jun’s chin. As Jun’s eyes fluttered closed his stomach growled loudly.
“Hungry at last?” Sho laughed and kissed Jun’s forehead. “I'll fetch you some food and a glass of juice.”
“Mmm, cheese and crackers?” Jun mumbled sleepily.
“Anything you want, Pet. I'm just relieved that you are finally hungry.”
****
Jun’s silky bathrobe was the first thing which came to hand, and Sho was in the middle of tying it loosely around his waist as he shuffled across the bedroom. Jun was snugly tucked under the blankets and already dozing, but Sho was determined that he should eat something.
Fumbling with the belt of the robe and opening the bedroom door simultaneously, Sho pulled up with a start as he bumped into a solid object. “Nino? I am just on my way to the kitchen.”
Nino was standing with his arms crossed in front of his chest, a sneaker-clad foot tapping impatiently as he looked disdainfully at Sho’s dishevelled state. “Then allow me to walk you there.”
“Is there a problem?” Sho loaded a plate with slices of cheese and sesame crackers and looked in the fridge for some juice.
“Did you forget that Satoshi, Aiba and I were here?” Nino asked as he slammed the fridge door shut preventing Sho from retrieving the bottle.
Sho blinked, coming out of his post-coital daze. “I guess I did. Where are they?”
“When Satoshi heard Jun wailing he wanted to go in there and rip your head off, but he stormed off instead. Aiba, who seems to be used to this type of behaviour, went to buy Jun some medicinal tea.”
“But you decided to stay and eavesdrop?” Sho pushed Nino aside and retrieved the juice.
“You were supposed to feed him, not fuck him,” Nino hissed.
Sho spun to face Nino, eyed ablaze with anger. “What gives you the right to speak to me that way?”
“The Council chose Jun as your mate, and it is our responsibility to make sure that he is being treated as he deserves,” Nino replied, pulling himself up to his full height, and staring Sho down.
“And as his mate, I know what's best for him,” Sho snarled. “Do you really think that I would hurt him?”
“It certainly didn't sound as if you were being particularly careful with him just now, especially with him being the way he his.”
“And how exactly am I being?” Jun was in the doorway, wearing nothing but one of Sho’s shirts which was barely long enough to maintain decency. Even though he was pale and swaying slightly, he glared at the pair of them with purple glowing eyes.
“Jun, you shouldn't be up.” Sho tried to wrap his arm around Jun’s shoulders.
“I’m hungry,” Jun said, batting away Sho’s hand. He walked over and picked up the plate of food and the glass of juice and headed back towards the bedroom. “And for your information Nino, I enjoyed every minute of Sho fucking me, so you can stop worrying.”
****
“Satoshi, it wasn't Sho’s fault.” Jun swirled the synthetic blood around in the crystal goblet before taking an experimental sip. He grimaced and placed the glass back down on the table before cutting a large slice from his very rare steak. “I was the one who initiated it. I’m sorry to have embarrassed you.”
Satoshi put down his fork and took a gulp of his own goblet of blood. “I want you to see a doctor.”
“There’s no need, and don't try to avoid the issue. You haven’t spoken to me in over two weeks, and I miss you.”
“Do you have any idea what it was like for me to hear you making those noises?”
“At least you know that Sho is making me happy?” Jun giggled and blinked innocently at his brother.
Satoshi closed his eyes momentarily and sighed. “Fine. It never happened, but I still want you to see a doctor.”
“I’m fine.”
“You're hardly eating, you sleep nearly all day and night, you look terrible, and you're barely drinking enough blood to keep you alive.”
As if in defiance of Satoshi’s words Jun scowled and gulped down his goblet of blood in one go. He then stuffed the remainder of his steak into his mouth, barely chewing it before forcing it down his throat. “Are you happy now?”
“Not completely, but I guess this will have to do.”
A short while later Jun excused himself to visit the restaurant bathroom, leaving Satoshi to order another bottle of blood and some dessert. After checking that the room was empty of any other patrons Jun locked himself in the closest cubicle. With trembling hands he loosened his tie and pushed back a stray lock of hair from his sweaty forehead. A moment later he folded up over the toilet bowl and proceeded to empty his stomach, heaving until all of the food he’d just consumed was purged from his system.
When he could manage to stand upright again on legs which felt like rubber bands, Jun flushed the toilet and washed his face and hands. The reflection which stared back at him in the special mirror seemed to belong to someone much older who had skin which seemed almost transparent in the unflattering light. Jun pinched his cheeks and bit his lower lip to infuse a little colour before walking unsteadily back to the table.
****
Jun was already asleep even though the sun was still below the horizon and wouldn't rise for at least two hours. After checking on Jun and pressing a kiss to his cheek, Sho carefully closed the bedroom door and pulled on his hooded coat, heading out to a meeting with Nino at a nearby vampire bar.
Sho was shown to a private room at the back, where his bodyguard moved to stand alertly in the corner of the room. Since Jun’s kidnapping, security for the Royal families had been increased and they now employed a rotating team of vampire guards and humans, to ensure they had twenty-four hour coverage. This meant that Sho, who had been driven to this location by his own guard, was able to relax as he was sure that his sleeping mate was being protected by the burly human protecting the front door of their apartment.
Nino was already seated with a bottle of red wine and two glasses on the table in front of him. He turned to Sho with a worried expression and gestured to Sho’s guard to leave them. “Out. Prince Sakurai will be perfectly safe with me.”
Taking a seat opposite Nino, Sho helped himself to some wine, offering the bottle to Nino who shook his head. As always, Nino was entirely clad in black, apart from his sneakers, which were bright yellow and obviously new.
Sho sipped the wine and nodded appreciatively at the deep plummy taste before looking quizzically at Nino. “Why the subterfuge? What do you have to tell me that you couldn't say at my place?”
“You know that Satoshi had lunch with Jun two nights ago?”
“Of course, but I don't see anything unusual about that,” Sho said, running his finger through a drop of wine clinging to the stem of his glass.
“Satoshi rang me afterwards, and told me that he was worried about Jun’s behaviour. He suspected that Jun purged himself of their meal even before they’d finished eating, something which was confirmed by the washroom attendant at the restaurant when I questioned him today. Knowing that you two don't really get on, Satoshi asked me to speak with you instead.”
“I know that Jun hasn't been himself lately, but I haven't seen or heard him being sick. If he is ill, why would he hide it from me? And more importantly how? As his mate I can sense when he is distressed, and I don't detect any illness.” Sho was both worried and puzzled.
“Obviously he has learned to hide things from you or perhaps you aren’t paying him close enough attention.” Ignoring Sho’s offended hiss, Nino continued. “Have you noticed anything different about him recently, apart from the obvious things like his lack of appetite and sleeping more? Something which only you can tell?”
Sho thought for a moment, “Sweet. His scent and taste are sweeter than usual.”
“I have no idea what that means, but I know someone who does,” Nino said, picking up his phone. “I'll make arrangements. There is a doctor who works regularly with the Council, and I think he will be able to help Jun. All you have to do is make sure to get him there at some point.”
Sho was unsure. “I don't know how Jun will react.”
“You are his mate and you need to make him do it whether he likes it or not.”
“Nino, that isn't how things work. I would never force Jun to do anything against his will, and even if I tried, you know he would never let me,” Sho said as he placed his glass back down on the table and pushed back his chair. “And now, if you will excuse me, I'll be getting back to him before he notices that I am gone.”
“Whatever. Just remember that I’ll be ready at any time,” Nino replied as he studied his fingernails with a disinterested expression.
****
It wasn't even a sound which woke Sho; it was the heavy feeling in his heart and the prickling feeling in the back of his mind that something was wrong with his mate.
The other side of the bed was empty and barely warm to the touch as Sho ran his hand over the sheet in search of Jun’s reassuring presence. Sho raised himself to a sitting position, listening intently for a sign that Jun was nearby. There was a faint noise coming from the attached bathroom, barely loud enough to be heard, but Sho knew that it was coming from Jun, and it indicated nothing good.
Carefully picking up his phone, Sho quickly sent a text to Nino and pulled on a pair of jeans over his boxers before sliding out of bed and silently padding over to the bathroom door. The faint sound of a muffled moan spurred him to fling open the door and flick on the overhead light, catching Jun in the process of ejecting his stomach contents into the toilet bowl.
Jun looked like a ghost as he knelt pale and atremble on the hard tiles. With one hand bracing himself on the rim and the other holding back his unbound hair, he continued to heave convulsively, gagging as strings of bile came out of his mouth.
Picking up a clean face cloth from a shelf next to the vanity, Sho rinsed it with cold water and walked over to Jun, lifting Jun’s hair and pressing it firmly to the back of his neck as Jun shuddered and groaned. Jun’s sleep shirt was soaked with sweat and clinging damply to his spine as he curled up in a ball on the floor in front of the toilet.
“Breathe deeply Pet, it will make things easier for you,” Sho said softly as he filled a glass with water and handed it to Jun.
Jun’s hand was shaking so hard that it made it impossible for him to get the water into his mouth, so Sho knelt down beside him and placed his hand over Jun’s, holding the glass steady as Jun took a mouthful.
“Jun my love, why have you been hiding this from me?” Sho put down the glass and helped Jun to his feet.
“Hiding what? I probably just had some bad blood. I'll be fine by tomorrow,” Jun rasped hoarsely as he teetered over to the basin to splash water on his face.
“We’ll soon know if that's true, because you're coming to the doctor with me right now.”
Jun narrowed his eyes and shook his head, swaying slightly as dizziness struck as a result of the motion. Barely able to walk in a straight line, Jun made his way slowly back to the bedroom followed closely by Sho, who was making sure that he didn't stumble. “I'm going nowhere but back to my bed.”
“You are not. I'm going to help you get dressed and then we’re going to meet Nino downstairs and we will take you to be checked out.” Sho was too busy opening drawers and pulling out suitable clothes for Jun to wear, to notice the mutinous expression on Jun’s face.
“Don't think you can treat me like a child,” Jun said, crossing his arms angrily.
Sho looked at Jun standing there and pouting defiantly, “Well, you're certainly doing a good job of acting like one right now.”
Jun raked his fingers through his hair, gathering it into a bundle as he tied it at his nape with a black satin ribbon from the dresser. He eyed Sho and tried to push his way past. “Get out of my way and stop fussing. I’m perfectly fine.”
Sho could hear Jun’s rapid breathing and the distressed fluttering of his heart, and most of all he could sense Jun’s fear and uncertainty, despite his bravado. “You know that I can't do that. We both know that you aren't fine,” Sho said, blocking Jun’s way.
“You know nothing of the sort,” Jun huffed as the depths of his eyes glowed with a dim purple flame. “Just because you are my mate doesn't give you the right to order me around.”
“Oh really?” Sho felt anger rising in his chest, but he managed to retain a calm demeanour. He badly wanted to just ignore Jun’s protests and compel him to accompany him, but he didn't want to use his advantage as the dominant partner in their mateship. The one time Sho tried to hypnotize Jun before their mating had left him deeply embarrassed, and even more importantly Sho would never force Jun into something against his will.
“Really!” Jun hissed. “Don’t even think about trying to make me, you…you...” Jun gripped the front of Sho’s t-shirt, balling the fabric tightly in his fists and trying to push Sho out of the way, but Sho braced himself and refused to move.
Sho wanted to laugh at Jun’s determined pout, but that changed to concern a moment later as Jun’s hands slipped slowly down from his chest as Jun’s knees bent as if unable to any longer support his weight. Jun fell forwards against Sho’s chest, as limp as a rag doll, forcing Sho to quickly catch him before he crumpled to the floor in a faint.
“Jun?” Sho shook Jun lightly and when he received no response, he lifted him and gently deposited him on the bed. “Don’t worry Pet, I’ve got you.”
Even though Sho’s heart was thudding he realized that Jun would kill him if he carried him downstairs in his sleep wear. He hastily wrapped the bedspread around his mate before sweeping him into his arms and carrying him out of the apartment. The guard at their door tried to intervene, but Sho brushed him aside and carried Jun quickly and carefully down to the underground garage where Nino was sitting at the wheel of a black Mercedes with specially tinted windows.
“What happened?” Nino asked over his shoulder, watching intently as Sho placed Jun on the back seat and buckled him into the seatbelt before sliding in beside him and leaning Jun against his shoulder.
“As Satoshi thought, he was throwing up. We were arguing about him seeing the doctor when he fainted in my arms,” Sho replied with a worried frown. “Don’t just sit there. Drive!”
Nino nodded and pulled out into the afternoon traffic, driving calmly at a speed which far exceeded the legal limits, which worried Sho slightly, but he knew that Nino would never do anything which put Jun in danger.
****
The moment that the car pulled into the marked parking beneath the private clinic the back door was reefed open.
“What have you done to my brother?” Satoshi’s eyes blazed with anger as he glared venomously at Sho.
“Nothing,” Sho protested, in turn glaring at Nino. “And how did you even know we were coming here?”
“I told him, of course,” Nino said coldly. “And don’t give me that look. Satoshi was the one to notice that something was seriously awry with Jun. You should be thanking him, not fighting with him.”
A small voice piped up amongst the bickering as Jun spoke from his slumped position on the back seat. “Will you all stop arguing and just take me home?”
“NO!” The answer from the other three was perfectly synchronized.
“Don’t think you can stop me from leaving right now and getting a taxi straight back home,” Jun said in a weak voice as he unbuckled the seatbelt and tried to wriggle out of his seat.
Sho gave him a look of exasperation and only needed to use two fingers to press Jun back into place. “I’d like to see you try.”
“Fine. Just to prove you wrong I’ll see this doctor and then maybe you’ll leave me alone,” Jun mumbled.
Sho climbed out of the car and by the time he reached Jun’s side, Satoshi had lifted Jun into his arms and made to walk to the elevator. There was a stab of pain in Sho’s chest at the sight of his mate being held in that way by another, even if he was Jun’s brother.
Nino rolled his eyes and was relieved to see the indicator on the elevator moving. He bounced lightly on his toes, glaring at the pair squabbling over Jun, and prepared to intervene if necessary.
“Put Jun down. As his mate I can’t allow this.” Sho’s eyes flashed and the tips of his fangs descended.
Satoshi hissed and ignored Sho as he hugged Jun tightly to his chest. Sho reached to grab Jun, who was looking pale and distressed.
“Stop being ridiculous, the pair of you,” Nino snapped. “You should be ashamed.”
“Thank you Nino-san.” A tall and handsome vampire with dark hair and eyes which were lit from within by a light honey glow, stepped out of the elevator and gently pried Jun from Satoshi’s arm before depositing him into a wheelchair. “I thoroughly agree. The last thing that someone who is unwell needs is being treated like the last toy in the store on Christmas Eve.”
He turned on his heel and wheeled Jun into the elevator, followed closely by Nino, who gave Sho and Satoshi one last disgusted look before the doors slid closed, leaving the pair of them alone to await the elevator’s return.
Genre: Vampire AU, fantasy, drama, mpreg
Rating: NC-17
Warning: Contains violence, blood.
Summary: Fifteen years after Blood. Lust. - Sho and Jun are adjusting to life as a mated pair, Sho and Satoshi have an uneasy truce, Nino is still wearing neon joggers and Aiba has grown a little more used to being around vampires on a daily basis.
Notes: This is my first chaptered fic since I don’t even know when. I’ve been working on it for an embarrassingly long length of time and it still isn’t complete. I figured that the only way to make myself finish it is to start posting and catch myself up at the end.
“OW!” Sho pulled his hand back as a set of razor-sharp claws slashed deep gouges across his skin.
The mound of blankets in the middle of the bed shifted slightly as the pale hand that the claws were attached to once again disappeared under the covers.
Sighing deeply, Sho licked the scratches as he returned to the living room, wincing at the taste of his own blood, so bitter in comparison to Jun’s sweet flavour.
Aiba was in the middle of regaling Satoshi and Nino with some of the latest exploits of his five children, which apparently included multiple photographs and even a lumpy key ring in the shape of a dog, which had obviously been created by a set of small and not very skilled hands.
“What did you do to Jun?” Satoshi’s eyes flared at the scent of blood. “Why is he avoiding us?”
“You should be asking what he did to me,” Sho pouted, pointing to the already healing gouges in his skin. “To tell the truth, I have no idea what’s wrong with him. I can sense that he is troubled but he won’t talk to me either.”
Even though Sho had been Jun’s mate for fifteen years now, Satoshi still remained slightly wary of him; their relationship was cordial but certainly still not one of true friendship.
“Since you seem unable to, I’ll go and talk to him. If he is ill, we must send for a doctor,” Satoshi declared firmly.
“I’m not sure that you want to do that. He’s pretty angry,” Sho replied, rubbing his hand, which was now fully healed.
“I’ll come with you. From the looks of those gouges on Sho’s hand, Jun is in a very dangerous mood,” Nino said to Satoshi, desperate to escape from Aiba and his photographs.
“I don’t think that will be necessary,” Satoshi replied. “Jun’s my brother. There’s no way that he will attack me that way.”
****
“I'm sure it will stop bleeding in a second, Prince Satoshi,” Aiba said, pressing an ice pack to Satoshi’s nose. “I didn't know that you vampires were so delicate.”
Satoshi growled and his eyes glowed briefly, leading to Nino jumping in and taking Aiba’s place before Aiba dug himself in any deeper.
“Perhaps if I bring Prince Jun a cup of nice fresh blood he will feel better,” Aiba offered, seemingly oblivious to how much he’d offended the three vampires in the room.
“You do that Aiba-san; food is the answer to every problem,” Nino replied sarcastically, his eyes shimmering bright yellow from being in such close proximity to Satoshi’s blood.
Missing Nino’s sarcasm entirely, Aiba nodded and dropped by the kitchen before heading towards the bedroom, carrying a beaker of fresh synthetic blood for Jun.
Sho moved to stand next to Satoshi and Nino as Aiba knocked and entered the bedroom without waiting for Jun’s response. “Is he going to be okay? Jun is in a very strange mood tonight.”
“He’ll be fine,” Nino shrugged, happy to be released from the torture of admiring Aiba’s ever increasing brood of children. He had never been around babies before and planned to have it remain that way.
**
“Sir? I’ve brought you some refreshment,” Aiba said, drawing back the heavy silk-lined curtains to reveal a clear night sky and the bright lights of the city.
The angry hiss which issued from the mound of blankets in the centre of the bed indicated that Jun was not happy at the intrusion, but Aiba carried on regardless. He folded back the quilt to reveal a nest of dishevelled hair, atop a face which was pale, even for a vampire.
“Aiba-chan? Go away!” Jun attempted to pull the covers over his head, but Aiba snatched them away.
“I’m sorry to intrude Sir, but Prince Sho is worried about you.” Aiba rearranged the pillows, making it possible for Jun to sit up.
“I think I hurt him before, and Satoshi too,” Jun replied in a wobbly voice in complete contrast to his anger from a moment before. “I don’t know why I’ve felt so strange over the past few days.”
Aiba murmured soothingly, and handed Jun the beaker of blood, “You’ll feel better after you have something to eat. My Emi is not a morning person either and bringing her a snack in bed seems to help.”
Jun took the smallest of sips, grimacing at the taste of the freshly poured blood.
“I can cook you something, if you would prefer.” Aiba’s role had changed over the years from that of Sho’s secretary, to being an integral part of their household and he took his responsibilities very seriously.
“The very thought of food makes my stomach turn,” Jun muttered, closing his eyes in an attempt to quell his nausea.
“Dry toast is just the thing to settle your stomach. My Emi always needs toast first thing when she is expecting…”
Jun’s glare said it all and Aiba‘s eyes widened as he hastily added, “Not that I’m implying anything.”
“Thank you for the offer, but since that is an impossibility, I’d rather just go back to sleep,” Jun said, as he pulled the covers back over his head. “And please close the curtains on your way out; the lights are hurting my eyes.”
****
“Pet, this has to stop. I can feel that you are out of sorts, and it pains me.” Sho dug Jun out of his nest of blankets and ignored Jun’s hiss of warning as he pulled him into his arms. “Why wouldn’t you drink the blood that Aiba brought you?”
“It made me sick to my stomach,” Jun murmured, burying his nose in the crook of Sho’s neck and breathing in his bittersweet chocolate scent. Sho’s pulse thrummed against Jun’s lips as he pressed them against Sho’s warm skin, making Jun’s breathing quicken slightly as his own pulse beat in time with his mate’s.
Sho tilted his neck, allowing Jun better access, “Drink my love, you know you want to.”
“I shouldn’t. I took so much from you at our mating renewal last month…” Jun whispered his words against Sho’s neck, sending puffs of moist air against Sho’s tingling skin.
“I can feel your need Jun.” Sho tugged Jun around to face him. Looking deeply into Jun’s eyes, Sho commanded, “Drink.”
Tentatively at first, Jun made a small puncture with one of his fangs and lapped at the spot with quick darts of his tongue. The overwhelming taste and texture of Sho’s blood soon overcame his qualms and Jun drank down several gulps before Sho gently pulled on his hair to bring Jun back to his senses. Licking the last dribble of red from Sho’s neck, Jun licked and kissed the wound until the flow ceased and the skin began to knit back together.
Jun’s eyes were as dark and unfocused as Sho’s as their lips met and they were swept away by a wave of passion triggered by the act of feeding. Hands roamed over long limbs, tracing muscles underneath untucked clothing, teeth nipping at skin as they crushed their mouths together, uncaring that the others were just outside the room. Eyes ablaze, Sho hastily removed their clothing and pushed Jun backwards down onto the mattress.
Jun responded by thrusting his hips needily against Sho’s crotch, growling in the back of his throat as Sho licked a wet stripe along Jun’s exposed skin and nipped at the underside of Jun’s jaw. Jun tasted even sweeter than usual and Sho grunted with pleasure as he sucked on the tiny mole on the side of Jun’s neck.
Sho parted Jun’s legs slightly and slid two fingers into his mate enjoying the tight clench of hot flesh around his fingers. Claws pricked at the back of Sho’s neck as Jun clung tightly to him in response to the welcome intrusion, and soon Jun was spreading his legs as wide as possible and whining needily as he writhed on the bed. “Bite me. Take me. Fuck me.”
A low pitched wail from Jun filled the room as Sho thrust himself smoothly into him in one controlled movement. After a small pause to allow Jun to relax himself around Sho’s size, Sho withdrew before thrusting forward slowly and with great force. The bed rocked in time with the ever quickening movements of Sho’s hips as he hovered over Jun’s prone form, gazing into the fiery purple depths of Jun’s eyes.
Mewls of excitement were forced from Jun as Sho gripped Jun’s shoulders and rocked back onto his knees, pulling Jun into an upright position, still impaled on him. Holding Jun’s hips tight enough for his claws to puncture the taut skin, Sho assisted Jun to ride him, drawing him up to the tip of his cock before dragging him sharply back down, until neither of them could catch their breath.
Sweat dripped down overheated skin as they moved together in a frenzied coupling, claws making shallow scratches and fangs bared as they nipped at each other’s necks and shoulders. Jun cried out loudly, clawing at Sho’s back, trembling as lust set his veins on fire. Gripping Jun to his chest, Sho lowered him back to the mattress, never stopping the relentless movements of his hips. Rutting hard against him as Jun wrapped his legs tightly around Sho’s waist, Sho pinned Jun’s hands down and kissed him, mingling the blood on their lips as their tongues danced together.
“Come,” Sho commanded, plunging in to the hilt and releasing deep within Jun, who was shaking with pent up emotion.
Unable to resist Sho’s demand, Jun screamed, body arching as he came, eyes squeezing tightly shut, before he collapsed back down onto the stained sheets, with a sated smile gracing his face.
It took a while for their breathing to steady, as Sho carefully withdrew, proud of the trickle of semen which flowed down to make Jun’s thighs sticky. Jun practically purred as Sho kissed all of the bloody marks and welts on Jun’s body, healing them with his touch. Jun smiled contentedly as Sho gently sponged him clean and tucked him under the clean edge of the sheets, pulling the blankets up under Jun’s chin. As Jun’s eyes fluttered closed his stomach growled loudly.
“Hungry at last?” Sho laughed and kissed Jun’s forehead. “I'll fetch you some food and a glass of juice.”
“Mmm, cheese and crackers?” Jun mumbled sleepily.
“Anything you want, Pet. I'm just relieved that you are finally hungry.”
****
Jun’s silky bathrobe was the first thing which came to hand, and Sho was in the middle of tying it loosely around his waist as he shuffled across the bedroom. Jun was snugly tucked under the blankets and already dozing, but Sho was determined that he should eat something.
Fumbling with the belt of the robe and opening the bedroom door simultaneously, Sho pulled up with a start as he bumped into a solid object. “Nino? I am just on my way to the kitchen.”
Nino was standing with his arms crossed in front of his chest, a sneaker-clad foot tapping impatiently as he looked disdainfully at Sho’s dishevelled state. “Then allow me to walk you there.”
“Is there a problem?” Sho loaded a plate with slices of cheese and sesame crackers and looked in the fridge for some juice.
“Did you forget that Satoshi, Aiba and I were here?” Nino asked as he slammed the fridge door shut preventing Sho from retrieving the bottle.
Sho blinked, coming out of his post-coital daze. “I guess I did. Where are they?”
“When Satoshi heard Jun wailing he wanted to go in there and rip your head off, but he stormed off instead. Aiba, who seems to be used to this type of behaviour, went to buy Jun some medicinal tea.”
“But you decided to stay and eavesdrop?” Sho pushed Nino aside and retrieved the juice.
“You were supposed to feed him, not fuck him,” Nino hissed.
Sho spun to face Nino, eyed ablaze with anger. “What gives you the right to speak to me that way?”
“The Council chose Jun as your mate, and it is our responsibility to make sure that he is being treated as he deserves,” Nino replied, pulling himself up to his full height, and staring Sho down.
“And as his mate, I know what's best for him,” Sho snarled. “Do you really think that I would hurt him?”
“It certainly didn't sound as if you were being particularly careful with him just now, especially with him being the way he his.”
“And how exactly am I being?” Jun was in the doorway, wearing nothing but one of Sho’s shirts which was barely long enough to maintain decency. Even though he was pale and swaying slightly, he glared at the pair of them with purple glowing eyes.
“Jun, you shouldn't be up.” Sho tried to wrap his arm around Jun’s shoulders.
“I’m hungry,” Jun said, batting away Sho’s hand. He walked over and picked up the plate of food and the glass of juice and headed back towards the bedroom. “And for your information Nino, I enjoyed every minute of Sho fucking me, so you can stop worrying.”
****
“Satoshi, it wasn't Sho’s fault.” Jun swirled the synthetic blood around in the crystal goblet before taking an experimental sip. He grimaced and placed the glass back down on the table before cutting a large slice from his very rare steak. “I was the one who initiated it. I’m sorry to have embarrassed you.”
Satoshi put down his fork and took a gulp of his own goblet of blood. “I want you to see a doctor.”
“There’s no need, and don't try to avoid the issue. You haven’t spoken to me in over two weeks, and I miss you.”
“Do you have any idea what it was like for me to hear you making those noises?”
“At least you know that Sho is making me happy?” Jun giggled and blinked innocently at his brother.
Satoshi closed his eyes momentarily and sighed. “Fine. It never happened, but I still want you to see a doctor.”
“I’m fine.”
“You're hardly eating, you sleep nearly all day and night, you look terrible, and you're barely drinking enough blood to keep you alive.”
As if in defiance of Satoshi’s words Jun scowled and gulped down his goblet of blood in one go. He then stuffed the remainder of his steak into his mouth, barely chewing it before forcing it down his throat. “Are you happy now?”
“Not completely, but I guess this will have to do.”
A short while later Jun excused himself to visit the restaurant bathroom, leaving Satoshi to order another bottle of blood and some dessert. After checking that the room was empty of any other patrons Jun locked himself in the closest cubicle. With trembling hands he loosened his tie and pushed back a stray lock of hair from his sweaty forehead. A moment later he folded up over the toilet bowl and proceeded to empty his stomach, heaving until all of the food he’d just consumed was purged from his system.
When he could manage to stand upright again on legs which felt like rubber bands, Jun flushed the toilet and washed his face and hands. The reflection which stared back at him in the special mirror seemed to belong to someone much older who had skin which seemed almost transparent in the unflattering light. Jun pinched his cheeks and bit his lower lip to infuse a little colour before walking unsteadily back to the table.
****
Jun was already asleep even though the sun was still below the horizon and wouldn't rise for at least two hours. After checking on Jun and pressing a kiss to his cheek, Sho carefully closed the bedroom door and pulled on his hooded coat, heading out to a meeting with Nino at a nearby vampire bar.
Sho was shown to a private room at the back, where his bodyguard moved to stand alertly in the corner of the room. Since Jun’s kidnapping, security for the Royal families had been increased and they now employed a rotating team of vampire guards and humans, to ensure they had twenty-four hour coverage. This meant that Sho, who had been driven to this location by his own guard, was able to relax as he was sure that his sleeping mate was being protected by the burly human protecting the front door of their apartment.
Nino was already seated with a bottle of red wine and two glasses on the table in front of him. He turned to Sho with a worried expression and gestured to Sho’s guard to leave them. “Out. Prince Sakurai will be perfectly safe with me.”
Taking a seat opposite Nino, Sho helped himself to some wine, offering the bottle to Nino who shook his head. As always, Nino was entirely clad in black, apart from his sneakers, which were bright yellow and obviously new.
Sho sipped the wine and nodded appreciatively at the deep plummy taste before looking quizzically at Nino. “Why the subterfuge? What do you have to tell me that you couldn't say at my place?”
“You know that Satoshi had lunch with Jun two nights ago?”
“Of course, but I don't see anything unusual about that,” Sho said, running his finger through a drop of wine clinging to the stem of his glass.
“Satoshi rang me afterwards, and told me that he was worried about Jun’s behaviour. He suspected that Jun purged himself of their meal even before they’d finished eating, something which was confirmed by the washroom attendant at the restaurant when I questioned him today. Knowing that you two don't really get on, Satoshi asked me to speak with you instead.”
“I know that Jun hasn't been himself lately, but I haven't seen or heard him being sick. If he is ill, why would he hide it from me? And more importantly how? As his mate I can sense when he is distressed, and I don't detect any illness.” Sho was both worried and puzzled.
“Obviously he has learned to hide things from you or perhaps you aren’t paying him close enough attention.” Ignoring Sho’s offended hiss, Nino continued. “Have you noticed anything different about him recently, apart from the obvious things like his lack of appetite and sleeping more? Something which only you can tell?”
Sho thought for a moment, “Sweet. His scent and taste are sweeter than usual.”
“I have no idea what that means, but I know someone who does,” Nino said, picking up his phone. “I'll make arrangements. There is a doctor who works regularly with the Council, and I think he will be able to help Jun. All you have to do is make sure to get him there at some point.”
Sho was unsure. “I don't know how Jun will react.”
“You are his mate and you need to make him do it whether he likes it or not.”
“Nino, that isn't how things work. I would never force Jun to do anything against his will, and even if I tried, you know he would never let me,” Sho said as he placed his glass back down on the table and pushed back his chair. “And now, if you will excuse me, I'll be getting back to him before he notices that I am gone.”
“Whatever. Just remember that I’ll be ready at any time,” Nino replied as he studied his fingernails with a disinterested expression.
****
It wasn't even a sound which woke Sho; it was the heavy feeling in his heart and the prickling feeling in the back of his mind that something was wrong with his mate.
The other side of the bed was empty and barely warm to the touch as Sho ran his hand over the sheet in search of Jun’s reassuring presence. Sho raised himself to a sitting position, listening intently for a sign that Jun was nearby. There was a faint noise coming from the attached bathroom, barely loud enough to be heard, but Sho knew that it was coming from Jun, and it indicated nothing good.
Carefully picking up his phone, Sho quickly sent a text to Nino and pulled on a pair of jeans over his boxers before sliding out of bed and silently padding over to the bathroom door. The faint sound of a muffled moan spurred him to fling open the door and flick on the overhead light, catching Jun in the process of ejecting his stomach contents into the toilet bowl.
Jun looked like a ghost as he knelt pale and atremble on the hard tiles. With one hand bracing himself on the rim and the other holding back his unbound hair, he continued to heave convulsively, gagging as strings of bile came out of his mouth.
Picking up a clean face cloth from a shelf next to the vanity, Sho rinsed it with cold water and walked over to Jun, lifting Jun’s hair and pressing it firmly to the back of his neck as Jun shuddered and groaned. Jun’s sleep shirt was soaked with sweat and clinging damply to his spine as he curled up in a ball on the floor in front of the toilet.
“Breathe deeply Pet, it will make things easier for you,” Sho said softly as he filled a glass with water and handed it to Jun.
Jun’s hand was shaking so hard that it made it impossible for him to get the water into his mouth, so Sho knelt down beside him and placed his hand over Jun’s, holding the glass steady as Jun took a mouthful.
“Jun my love, why have you been hiding this from me?” Sho put down the glass and helped Jun to his feet.
“Hiding what? I probably just had some bad blood. I'll be fine by tomorrow,” Jun rasped hoarsely as he teetered over to the basin to splash water on his face.
“We’ll soon know if that's true, because you're coming to the doctor with me right now.”
Jun narrowed his eyes and shook his head, swaying slightly as dizziness struck as a result of the motion. Barely able to walk in a straight line, Jun made his way slowly back to the bedroom followed closely by Sho, who was making sure that he didn't stumble. “I'm going nowhere but back to my bed.”
“You are not. I'm going to help you get dressed and then we’re going to meet Nino downstairs and we will take you to be checked out.” Sho was too busy opening drawers and pulling out suitable clothes for Jun to wear, to notice the mutinous expression on Jun’s face.
“Don't think you can treat me like a child,” Jun said, crossing his arms angrily.
Sho looked at Jun standing there and pouting defiantly, “Well, you're certainly doing a good job of acting like one right now.”
Jun raked his fingers through his hair, gathering it into a bundle as he tied it at his nape with a black satin ribbon from the dresser. He eyed Sho and tried to push his way past. “Get out of my way and stop fussing. I’m perfectly fine.”
Sho could hear Jun’s rapid breathing and the distressed fluttering of his heart, and most of all he could sense Jun’s fear and uncertainty, despite his bravado. “You know that I can't do that. We both know that you aren't fine,” Sho said, blocking Jun’s way.
“You know nothing of the sort,” Jun huffed as the depths of his eyes glowed with a dim purple flame. “Just because you are my mate doesn't give you the right to order me around.”
“Oh really?” Sho felt anger rising in his chest, but he managed to retain a calm demeanour. He badly wanted to just ignore Jun’s protests and compel him to accompany him, but he didn't want to use his advantage as the dominant partner in their mateship. The one time Sho tried to hypnotize Jun before their mating had left him deeply embarrassed, and even more importantly Sho would never force Jun into something against his will.
“Really!” Jun hissed. “Don’t even think about trying to make me, you…you...” Jun gripped the front of Sho’s t-shirt, balling the fabric tightly in his fists and trying to push Sho out of the way, but Sho braced himself and refused to move.
Sho wanted to laugh at Jun’s determined pout, but that changed to concern a moment later as Jun’s hands slipped slowly down from his chest as Jun’s knees bent as if unable to any longer support his weight. Jun fell forwards against Sho’s chest, as limp as a rag doll, forcing Sho to quickly catch him before he crumpled to the floor in a faint.
“Jun?” Sho shook Jun lightly and when he received no response, he lifted him and gently deposited him on the bed. “Don’t worry Pet, I’ve got you.”
Even though Sho’s heart was thudding he realized that Jun would kill him if he carried him downstairs in his sleep wear. He hastily wrapped the bedspread around his mate before sweeping him into his arms and carrying him out of the apartment. The guard at their door tried to intervene, but Sho brushed him aside and carried Jun quickly and carefully down to the underground garage where Nino was sitting at the wheel of a black Mercedes with specially tinted windows.
“What happened?” Nino asked over his shoulder, watching intently as Sho placed Jun on the back seat and buckled him into the seatbelt before sliding in beside him and leaning Jun against his shoulder.
“As Satoshi thought, he was throwing up. We were arguing about him seeing the doctor when he fainted in my arms,” Sho replied with a worried frown. “Don’t just sit there. Drive!”
Nino nodded and pulled out into the afternoon traffic, driving calmly at a speed which far exceeded the legal limits, which worried Sho slightly, but he knew that Nino would never do anything which put Jun in danger.
****
The moment that the car pulled into the marked parking beneath the private clinic the back door was reefed open.
“What have you done to my brother?” Satoshi’s eyes blazed with anger as he glared venomously at Sho.
“Nothing,” Sho protested, in turn glaring at Nino. “And how did you even know we were coming here?”
“I told him, of course,” Nino said coldly. “And don’t give me that look. Satoshi was the one to notice that something was seriously awry with Jun. You should be thanking him, not fighting with him.”
A small voice piped up amongst the bickering as Jun spoke from his slumped position on the back seat. “Will you all stop arguing and just take me home?”
“NO!” The answer from the other three was perfectly synchronized.
“Don’t think you can stop me from leaving right now and getting a taxi straight back home,” Jun said in a weak voice as he unbuckled the seatbelt and tried to wriggle out of his seat.
Sho gave him a look of exasperation and only needed to use two fingers to press Jun back into place. “I’d like to see you try.”
“Fine. Just to prove you wrong I’ll see this doctor and then maybe you’ll leave me alone,” Jun mumbled.
Sho climbed out of the car and by the time he reached Jun’s side, Satoshi had lifted Jun into his arms and made to walk to the elevator. There was a stab of pain in Sho’s chest at the sight of his mate being held in that way by another, even if he was Jun’s brother.
Nino rolled his eyes and was relieved to see the indicator on the elevator moving. He bounced lightly on his toes, glaring at the pair squabbling over Jun, and prepared to intervene if necessary.
“Put Jun down. As his mate I can’t allow this.” Sho’s eyes flashed and the tips of his fangs descended.
Satoshi hissed and ignored Sho as he hugged Jun tightly to his chest. Sho reached to grab Jun, who was looking pale and distressed.
“Stop being ridiculous, the pair of you,” Nino snapped. “You should be ashamed.”
“Thank you Nino-san.” A tall and handsome vampire with dark hair and eyes which were lit from within by a light honey glow, stepped out of the elevator and gently pried Jun from Satoshi’s arm before depositing him into a wheelchair. “I thoroughly agree. The last thing that someone who is unwell needs is being treated like the last toy in the store on Christmas Eve.”
He turned on his heel and wheeled Jun into the elevator, followed closely by Nino, who gave Sho and Satoshi one last disgusted look before the doors slid closed, leaving the pair of them alone to await the elevator’s return.
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